State Meets with French Cancer Research Companies Looking for U.S. Opportunities
by Christine Hansen for MDBizMedia
DBED Secretary Christian Johansson speaks to French cancer research companies looking to do business in the U.S.
The Maryland Biotechnology center hosted a day-long regulatory workshop today for a cluster of French biotechnology companies, including Cancer BioSante, Lyonbiopole and Medicin, and UBIFRANCE, looking to do business in the U.S.
The workshop follows a letter of intent signed by the State of Maryland and the Cancer-BioSante Cluster at the BIO International Convention in Chicago, to build scientific and industry partnerships centered on cancer research, diagnostics and therapeutic strategies.
“As new therapies become available for the treatment of cancer, there will be an increasing need to better match patients with individualized treatment regimens,” Jean-Pierre Saintouil, the CEO of the Cancer-BioSanté cluster, said in a statement.
“We look forward to continuing our partnership with Maryland companies, academic institutions and federal facilities to assist in linking diagnostic technologies, clinical and regulatory expertise to pursue solving some of our most challenging clinical problems in cancer patient management,” he said.
Fifteen Maryland biotechnology companies were also in attendance to assist the French companies in their pursuit to commercialize health products in the U.S. market.
“Maryland is the gateway for global life sciences companies looking to market diagnostics, drugs and medical devices in the U.S. This meeting marks the first of several planned events to connect life sciences companies in France and Maryland to identify opportunities for partnership, share best practices and help facilitate commercialization,” said Dr. Judy Britz, Executive Director of the Maryland Biotechnology Center.
Jean-Pierre Saintouil, the CEO of the Cancer-BioSanté cluster, talks about the partnership with Maryland.
From 2001 to 2006, the State’s bioscience industry grew by nearly 15 percent, adding 3,200 jobs to top more than 25,000 bioscience jobs in Maryland. In addition, from 2002 to 2007, Maryland’s university bioscience research soared, growing 44 percent from $877 million to $1.3 billion. Maryland ranks second in federal obligations for research and development ($11.6 billion). On a per capita basis, Maryland ranks first among the states in federal R&D obligations.
